Jalopnik
We brought you some of the first images of the Caterham R500 yesterday and today we've got all the details and the high-res images to match. Weighing in at just over 1,115 lbs, the latest kidney-punisher from Caterham features all sorts of goodies that set it apart from the more brutal CSR. Chief among them is sweet 263 HP Duratec mill and the the all electronic gee-whiz dash and keyless start. Also tossed in for good measure are thinner body panels, kevlar seats, and that new six-speed sequential shifter. All of those goodies get you to sixty in a chest-compressing 2.88 seconds, which in case you weren't paying attention is Bugatti Veyron territory. Full deets and pricing below the fold.
THE NEW CATERHAM R500 - HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER* 520bhp-per-tonne
* 0-60mph in 2.88 seconds
* 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine tuned to produce 263bhp
* All-new electronic dashboard including keyless ignition
* Optional upgrade sequential gearbox & launch controlFor those really serious about their driving, the famous supercar-slaying R500 moniker is back with the arrival of the all-new Caterham Seven Superlight R500.
The latest model from the British sportscar manufacturer takes the minimalist, lightweight Seven philosophy to a new level with more power, sharper handling and for those venturing on track the option of launch control and the Caterham Motorsport engineered sequential gearbox.
Weighing just 506kg and producing 263bhp, R500 is the most potent race-tuned production Seven yet.
The Series 3 chassis flagship model blasts out 520bhp-per-tonne and is capable of propelling itself from 0-60mph in 2.88 seconds, delivering a pure adrenalin fix for those committed enough to strap themselves into the Kevlar race seats.
The original R500 was legendary, with the old Rover K-series powered machine rewriting performance records for 0-60mph and 0-100-0mph times. This new variant has been equipped to supersede its predecessor by embracing the very latest in lightweight engineering techniques and technology.
Lurking under the lightened bonnet is the all-alloy 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine. Fed by its roller barrel throttle bodies, the normally aspirated, four-cylinder mill is tuned by Caterham Powertrain (CPT) to unleash a monster; 263bhp with a heaving 177 lb-ft of torque transmitted to the rear wheels. The relentless acceleration is transmitted through each ratio by either the standard 6-speed gearbox or the optional Caterham Motorsport engineered sequential transmission.
To help reign in such extreme performance are race-developed Avon CR500 tyres and a suspension set-up that includes weight saving aero wishbones and fully adjustable dampers. Bringing things ferociously to a halt are four-piston calipers clamping on vented discs at the front and lightweight twin piston rear calipers.
Performance upgrades for the R500 aimed squarely at the track day market include a sequential transmission, launch control, a gulping Carbon Induction Airbox and Eibach Springs and dampers derived from the Caterham C400 race series.
The R500 isn't just about big performance statistics though; refinements and Seven firsts feature throughout and help distinguish it from its stablemates.
In true Colin Chapman spirit, engineers sought to add lightness to the chassis in order to improve the overall performance.
To shed a massive 9kg from the already featherlight chassis utilised by the R400, Caterham left no bolt unscrewed - more carbon and Kevlar feature than previously, thinner body panels have been utilised right through to aluminium rear light housings.
Discreet exterior styling tweaks carried over from the flagship CSR models offer both form and function - the carbon winglets increasing downforce and the cat's tongue grill aiding cooling and aerodynamics. A carbon leather boot cover and clear rear lights are also new.
Housed within the revised chassis is keyless ignition, a quick-release Momo steering wheel with integrated indicator switches and an innovative dashboard featuring flush fitted switchgear, ACES sequential gear change lights and a new Stack display with scrolling text. The carbon dash is also finished with a detailed engraved plaque to show each car's number.
On sale immediately, the factory built Superlight R500 starts at £36,995,
For more information visit www.caterham.co.uk or call 01883 333 700 (South) or 01455 841616 (Midlands).
Caterham Superlight R500 Technical Specification
Engine 2.0-litre Caterham Powertrain (CPT) Ford Duratec
Max Power 263bhp @ 8500rpm
Max Torque 177 lbsft @ 7200rpm
0-60mph (claimed) 2.88 seconds
Top Speed 150mph
Wheelbase 2225mm
Overall length 3100mm
Overall width 1575mm
Height 800mm
Ground clearance 80mm
Kerb Weight 506kg (516kg sequential gearbox)Standard Equipment
* 2.0-litre Caterham Motorsport Ford Duratec
* 6 Speed Caterham Gearbox
* Limited Slip Differential
* Superlight Suspension (wide track front and de Dion rear with Watts linkages)
* Carbon dash, nose cone, rear and front cycle wings
* ACES change-up lights
* Ventilated front brake discs with 4 pot calipers
* 13" Anthracite eight-spoke alloy wheels with Avon CR500 tyres
* Carbon interchangeable wind deflector
* 4 point Road Harnesses
* Quick-release Momo Steering Wheel with integrated indicator switches
* Carbon Kevlar seatsOptional Performance Upgrades
* Sequential Gearbox - £2950
* Launch Control - £350
* Carbon Induction Airbox - £450
* Suspension package consisting Eibach Springs and dampers derived from the C400 race series - £1250
Comments
boing!
How do you say "YEE-HAW!!!!" in England-talk?
How many times do I have to tell you? If you keep doing 0-60 runs in that thing your face will get stuck like that! /nagging mom
yah but how fast can it do the Kessel Run?
@graverobber- Same great taste, new low price!: I think you cry "jolly good show!" while shaking your teacup enough just enough for a few drips to splash into the air.
Me, I'm totally fapping over this thing right now.
i want it
@Rotang: I wanted to post that and I am actually glad you beat me to it... (verbatim)
That is an oddly specific 0-60 time. Probably all the electric goo-gahs like traction control, stability control, launch assist...
3 Days, 3 different posts about this car. I feel as if Jalopnik is at the Detroit Auto Show again, showing off the same Orange Challenger, over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over ...... again.
Wait, I see it has a hint of Orange in it. So that's the reason, right?
I wish for a coupe as a daily driver.
Physics Test--
Caterham claims the R500 will go 0-60mph in 2.88 seconds. This works out to 0.97 consistent g's of forward acceleration, in a RWD car. Is this because
A) Caterham thought it would be cool to make the claim based on wrinkle-wall drag tires.
B) Caterham has amazing downforce...see them wings?
C) The laws of physics are automatically revoked anytime a British vehicle makes it to 60mph without billowing smoke out of the engine, the transmission, or the wiring.
C) When Caterham makes a "claim" they don't necessarily feel compelled to back it up in the real world.
Oops. Fat fingered the math--shoulda been 0.95 g's. That's *much* more believable...
@UDMan: I assume you mean Chicago Auto Show. Please forgive us your majesty, but we can only provide info as we get it.
@smokeydog001: To hell with the coupe... I'll wear a rain coat in wet weather. Just give me one for a daily driver.
@Ben Wojdyla: So you automatically post every bit of info that comes across your tips line?
In fairness, three posts on this car are better than 6.023 * 10^23 on the Challenger.
@Mad_Science: Well, this was the first official press release we got, so it seemed fair to run the actual details. And I agree, three posts on a stupid-fast high performance car is way better than a thousand on a remade legend.
@milo_carrera:
Have you seen the Ariel Atom?
While I doubt it really can hit 60 mph in 2.88 seconds, I would expect it to do so in very little more than three.
Furthermore, Caterham is working on a version using the RS Performance supercharged V8, which produces 500 horsepower....but with a total weight increase of no more than 30 kg.
Forget the haters. There may have been too much Challenger, but I can't get enough R500. Oh yeah, and the raindrops - you outrun them.
Better multiple posts about Caterhams than mutiple whining comments about how many Caterhams posts there have been. Christ.
1115 pounds, 263 horsepower. I'd say that the extra 350 pounds for launch control is money well spent.
In other news, I just did the math, and the car will weigh twenty percent more with me in it--all pretty much right over the rear wheels. In other words, if I was driving the car, one-sixth of the car/driver weight would be inelegantly wedged into the driver's seat. Don't let any fatties ride in your Caterham R500, or you'll be dealing with a serious rearward weight bias and accompanying oversteer that would make an early 911 look tame.
I'll take one as long as I can have it before Al Navarro.
dear jalopnik. could you add a dragon emoticon? thanks
@Rotang: COTD! W00T!
@Spasticteapot: The tires don't care about how much horsepower they can't put on the ground. They only care about the amount of horsepower that fits into their own coefficient of friction. Veyron, 4WD, the number is extremely difficult, but possible. RWD? Doubt it. But hey, park one in my driveway for the weekend and let me try!
I was just wondering about this, but now i realize it has been on my mind for some time. Has someone ever made a boat-tailed Seven? I think that would be perfection. If you could just make the nose a bit pointier, like the old Eagle F1 cars from the late sixties, you would have one of the coolest cars ever made. Navarro, an info?
"Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" huh? Is that the official title of the press release lol
Found this on youtube. Supposedly it's spy footage of the new R500.
+ Watch video
@Rotang:
probably way less than 12 parsecs.
@Rotang: Probably less than 12 parsecs. Way less.
But it doesn't have turret guns
or secret compartments
so.....
@clashtastic: But it does come with a little secret compartment... see that little black tarp over the back? And as shown, comes in RHD, making it perfect for my rural-route mail delivery job.
Now if I can get all the folks on my route to lower their mailboxes a foot or two...
@iamverb:
You know, on second thought, you're right. I reckon I could out-run rain and probably any pesky tornado!
@UDMan: That's the beauty of Jalopnik. If you don't like a headline, don't click on it.
@Ben Wojdyla: Just make sure you over-cover the next new diaper that'll be used to wipe down a car that will never leave first gear.
I really hate to be petty like this but UDMan doesn't deserve a ride in a Seven. He'd lose his pacifier on the first shift.
This isn't even a ride I would think about... But DAMN...
Gimme the keys, punk!
I bet it feels like warm honey!
@poxpopulus: My sentiments exactly!!
@UDMan: Would you prefer they cover the latest in Mercury minivans instead?
This thing is incredible, much more interesting than Opel self-promotion, for example. Udman has taken up the mantle of Seven nay saying for some reason.
Ford engine? I no trust. Why can't they use the same Toyota engine the Exige does?
Scares me to think: DOUBLE the power-to-weight ratio of the Exige/Elise.
All it needs is a yellow bonnet, black body, and a KAR 120C plate.
DO WANT!
Now this is the ultimate Skeelermobile.
so that guys calculations in the earlier post about it going 0-60 in under 3 seconds were right. surprising.
technology is taking over even the 7.
Dont care if its faster than the Green Monster, I thought they were butt-ugly in the mid-60's and I think they are butt-ugly now. Looks count.
Yeah, but unless you're also driving a Seven the only thing that matters is how it looks from behind.
Yummy yummy yummy.
0-60 = 2.88 fully clothed, 2.85 if you're nekkid. The keyless ignition system was employed to add lightness.
@IamZardoz: True...She does have a face that only a mother could love. Does she look good? No. Does she put out? YES. Hey, you gotta be good at something.
I think they're beautiful in a way only a truly functional tool can be. Is a sword ever really beautiful? Can a hammer be lovely? Do you write odes to a shotgun? Someone should.
@Ben Wojdyla: Ahem...the Seven was a legend before the Challenger was a glint in Dodge's eye! Great Seven, but 35K?! You could probably get an original Lotus S3 for that, and maybe even an Elan with the change!
@milo_carrera: I shouldn't really do this as its boring but i can't help my self. Surely you don't need wrinkle wall tires to be able to achieve this 0-60 time since rubber can achieve co-effecients of friction of up to 4 on certain surfaces, launch control should make sure you're not spinning the tyres very long and there isn't a great deal of momentum/moment of inertia to overcome when dumping the weight onto the back wheels during acceleration.
@dculberson:
I once wrote a drunken poem about a revolver. Awesome revolver though!
I think the looks of the Seven appeal to people who like utilitarian things, if you're the sort of person who thinks a unimog is pretty because it's functional, who buys army surplus bags because you figure they're durable, who can look at the technical drawings of a Tiger II tanks gearbox and find the precise German engineering pleasing; if you're that sort of person the Seven will most likely appeal visually.
This is the car I envisioned during some seat time in a Morgan over 40 years ago!
Wow, I leave work a little early one day to attend a school function and I miss 1/3 of the fun.
Of course, I will never tire of Se7en coverage, so keep bringing it. And not just Caterham stuff please, I heard that Birkin's got a new US importer now...
As for 0-60 times, I know of at least 2 US based one-off cars that can break the 3 second barrier, but this is probs the first time the factory has claimed it. Launch control is appealing, but as someone mentioned, how much technology should a Se7en have? Pretty soon we'll see the Caparo Se7en...